Christmas is soon approaching and with that a time of sharing, love and appreciation. For most people it’s a time of gathering and reconnecting, a time for the family, a time when we put aside old conflicts and show compassion and care for each other instead. Christmas is also celebration and good food, presents, the glow in the eyes of children, singing, excitement, relaxation, good company and prayer and spirituality.
At the same time Christmas is one of the toughest times for those who have no family, for those who live on the fringes of the regular society, for those who cannot afford presents to their children, for those who live in despair, for those who starve – for all those for which Christmas is a reminder of all what they don’t have. We who have may use Christmas to somehow show compassion and love for those who don’t have. That would really be within the notion of what Christmas is supposed to be. I would like to challenge you all – and myself included – to do at least one good dead, and it doesn’t have to be big, that will make one or more of those for which Christmas is a hard time, feel somewhat part of the celebration, feel somewhat part of the sharing that Christmas is suppose to be.
On a personal level I will use the opportunity to thank everybody of you, who have followed this blog and given feedback and tremendous support, who have given so much of yourselves through my blog. You have truly inspired me to keep posting and make me feel what I am doing is appreciated and more than just scribbles for myself.
Finally, in a seasons of gifts and presents, I have been given a beautiful present by the blogger Being Arindam. He has awarded me with The Rudolph Award. I sincerely want to thank him for the nomination. I will get back to it in more details in a later post.
For now: Merry Christmas to all of you.
In Flow with Otto 
Beautiful post, Munchow. Thank you, and I accept your challenge. 🙂
Thank you also for your blog – I enjoy your posts and your photos a great deal. You are an inspiration. Many blessings to you ~
A good challenge.
One I’ll think about — and hope to accomplish.
And a merry christmas to you — many people (me included) are grateful to you for the gift of beautiful photography and inspiring text on your blog!
Thank you for your beautiful photographs and your inspiring blog. I wish you a wonderful Christmas and may 2012 be filled with many blessings for you and yours.
Thank you for the joy you bring through your blog. You are well-deserving of the Rudolph Award-congratulations. Besides that, I have created an award that I am giving to you–because your blog and photography lights the world. It is called the Candle Lighter Award. You can get the “badge” and find the details here. http://believeanyway.wordpress.com/the-candle-lighter-award/
Merry Christmas to you !
Hi,
I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and congrats on your awards. 🙂
Merry Christmas! I’m new to your blog, and am looking forward to your posts this upcoming year!
Merry Christmas! I am so happy to have met up with your blog this year….great inspiration.
My family for the first time this year decided to adopt a needy family, instead of exchanging gifts amongst the adults in our family. Wonderful feeling! And this will be our yearly tradition going forward.
That is a wonderful gift you are giving. And also a gift that will be just as much a gift to yourselves.
I’ve enjoyed your blog this year and look forward to next. Wishing you the Happiest and most meaningful holiday season. Congrats on your award!
You have a wonderful blog. Your photographs and words always say a lot to everyone of us.
Wishing you a happy holiday season. May this season will bring lot more happiness, joy & peace in your life.
Congrats on your award. You are such an motivation and inspiration for lot of us. I am waiting to see, to whom you are going to pass this award. 🙂
Travel safely, Otto, and enjoy the Christmas season with your loved one. Many thanks for all you have given on this fabulous blog. Your challenge is lofty and valuable. Think of all the goodness it will bring to the planet. It will be a pleasure to do an act of Love with your name in mind.
This is a beautiful post, Otto. You are so right. Some of my dearest friends struggle with Christmas and I know from them, firsthand, how different our experiences have been through the years and even now. One of my challenges is to help my little granddaughters learn early how to share the Christmas blessing. We took some time yesterday going through the Heifer International catalogue and they chose to purchase a pig for a family. I think sometimes it is easier to make a purchase as an act of kindness than it is to be mindful of those right in our paths. You are a generous and insightful man, and I have really enjoyed getting to know you. I always find words, wisdom and beautiful inspiration. Merry Christmas to you! Debra
Congratulations on your award, as always, so well deserved. I will take your challenge Otto.
Thank you for another lovely post.
I wish you, and your family a very happy Christmas.
Merry Christmas
Great post and highly motivational. I really liked your sentiments and approach. Thanks for sharing. Happy Christmas to you too. 🙂
At times of joy it takes a good human to think of those who are less privileged and you, dear friend are one. I have heard of all kinds of challenges, but this one outdoes them all. I accept it 🙂
Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year!
And a very Merry Christmas to you.
Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge ~ it’s a wonderful gift for all of us.
Merry Christmas! I enjoyed your post and the thoughtfulness you’ve expressed at this special time of year. Congratulations on your well-deserved award!
Beautifully put, Otto. And lovely photo. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
looking forward to the long weekend this holiday offered.. some time to relax, unwind & shoot more of course.. i’m a new follower, but merry christmas nonetheless.. 🙂
Congratulations on the award and I hope your holidays are warm and happy. Thanks for blogging!
Congratulations for your nomination. I hope yo have a wonderful season and a successful new year!
What a beautiful post and sentiments Otto. I have very much enjoyed your blog and congratulate you on a well deserved award. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Outstanding words in the spirit of not only the Christmas season, but actually toward humanity every day of the year … and written with class! Merry Christmas Otto!!!
Thanks for sharing these thoughts Otto. And a very Merry Christmas to you!
Merry Christmas for you and your family!!!
Congratulations on your award and I accept your challenge. Wonderful sentiment.
Happy and relaxed holidays!
xandi
A very Merry Christmas to you too Otto. I’m gad we connected through our blogs. Yes we are truely blessed in comparison to many others in the world. This is the first year, after two years of Christmas being unemployed. Something to be thankful for.
As far as your challenge of giving- it something I strive to do often, not just during the holidays. Not only did I donate several toy gifts for a church for a gift mart, I spent half the day volunteering to photograph and coordinate the event and all that follows with collecting and sorting images. I gave up a weekend w/o my kids to give to others less fortunate.
http://photosbymartina.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/tis-the-season-of-giving/
I feels good when I can give and I also give when I faced tough times, because my tough times are no match for hardships others are facing today.
It’s so great to get to know whenever people like you participate and give to they local community.
Congratulations, and wishing you a very happy holiday season!
I appreciate how you build us up and encourage us with your words of wisdom..Merry Christmas! May relaxation come your way..and some skiing too!
Wish you and the family a great Christmas and wonderful year ahead 🙂
Merry Christmas to you, too, Otto. I accept the challenge and know I need to make a phone call I’d really rather skip. :0)
You’re racking up the accolades, my friend! Well done!
Hi,
I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Regards
A beautiful post, full of truth! I accept your challenge! May you have a blessed Christmas!
Thank you for such I beautiful post, it is very inspiring 🙂
I do always try to look after my friends who are lonely at this time of year, even when they try to hide…
Merry Christmas for you and your family!!!!! Happy Holidays to you too
Munchow! This post is in the true spirit of Christmas. May every blessing be yours.
Jamie and Gypsy 🙂
P.S. – That’s a fabulous illustration.
Great post, Otto!
Merry Christmas! 🙂
This is a beautiful sentiment for the season, Otto. Thank you. The best of holiday wishes to you and yours.
Wish you and yours a wonderful season of joy!!
Beautiful post, great challenge.
Happy Christmas to you and thank you for your support through my blog too. x
Merry Christmas Otto. I invite you and your readers to visit and select a present under the tree. http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/on-a-time-for-gifts/
I hope I can still do it a little after the holidays. It’s just been very busy around here since I’m on the road in Honduras.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Otto. It’s been a privilege to meet you through your blog and I always appreciate your comments on mine. You have much to share, through both your images and your words.
Indeed Christmas is about sharing our love, time and generosity with people who had been a part of our lives, may it be our families, our friends, our co-workers, our blogger friends whom we made connections. It’s a time to thank and be grateful as well. Thanks for the inspiration, for the thoughts and the amazing images you created.
Merry Christmas. Wishing you and your family the gift of love, joy and peace today and everyday.
Have a wonderful Christmas, and thank you for reminding us of the ones that do not have, or can not. Your blog is such an inspiration and I thank you for everything I learn from you 🙂
Hi Otto, wish you a very cheery Xmas and New yr.. a little gift to you http://georgiemathew.wordpress.com/2011/12/25/somewhere-long-time-ago/
Thank you for this post Munchow! Let’s keep this in mind through out 2012…
Merry Xmas and a Beautiful Year!
This is a great post thanks for it, Otto. And a little late but wish you a real Merry Christmas.
robert
Beautiful post Munchow. I think you really hit the nail on the head with what the true meaning of Christmas is and what we can do to share it with those around us. I will keep that in mind. Hope your Christmas was wonderful. Wish you a glorious New Year ahead! 🙂
Congratulations dear Otto, this is so nice. Thank you for your beautiful post, I wish you too, Happy New Year and Merry Christmas, with my love, nia
A lovely post, and good reminders for all of us. I hope you enjoyed the holiday!
Happy Holidays and thank you for the inspiring words in this post.
belated wishes!
I want to thank you for taking up on the challenge and understanding what Christmas is also about. It’s quite fantastic to know so many wonderful people.
An inspiring post. Which sadly I’ve only just picked up today (1 Jan). The Homeless were very much in my thoughts this Christmas, and my Christmas message like yours focussed on their plight. The divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ is growing and the numbers of homeless people on the streets of London this year has grown. It’s right that at a time of giving and receiving we should be giving and thinking about those who are destitute.
Your words are a timely reminder of things that often are pushed aside in all the holiday hurry. I think we do remember what Christmas is about, but it is oh-so-easy to neglect some very important aspects. I hope your Christmas was a happy one and that 2012 proves to be a very good year for you.
Happy New Year, Otto!
Hope you had a wonderful holiday season too! 🙂